"rat"

Ever bright lights, each competing to replace the sun, pierce the blackness of night with a conical beam spreading towards the cracked sidewalks and subway grates. A kaleidoscope of red brake lights, aluminum silver, and black SEPTA writing flashes beneath the cold grates below as I duck my head against the chilling wind reaching into the folds of my jacket like a pickpocket. As I grit my teeth together and fold my arms across my chest, I feel even my teeth are cold. Passing a particularly noxious alley, I swivel my head towards the offensive scent, my nose wrinkles and the I see the dumpster looks like my clothes hamper at home, overflowing. But instead of sweaters and jeans, it’s a few dozen banana peels that have gone black, wilted lettuce heads sagging over the side, stale loaves of bread with little toothmarks carved like ancient cave paintings from the rats and night crawlers. My shoulders brace against…